Topics

THEY short-changed him at the negotiating table and now Josh Dugan wants to make St George Illawarra pay.

The Sharks recruit has been at the centre of the fullback conundrum facing Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan this week after Valentine Holmes’ disappointing first-up effort against the Cowboys last Friday.

The short-term solution appears to be a job share arrangement between Holmes and Dugan that will debut against the Dragons at Southern Cross Group Stadium tonight but is not expected to last long into the future.

A Sharks-Dragons derby in the shire needs no additional fuel to incite passion among the fans of both teams but Dugan’s off-season switch adds an additional layer to the rivalry.

The New South Wales Origin representative played 12 of his 17 games with the Dragons last season at fullback but according to the Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie, when he sought fullback money at the end of the season the Dragons refused to play ball.

“Josh Dugan has settled at Cronulla now and has found a home but certainly at the time he was irate.

“He wanted more money, he wanted the money for a fullback and not as a centre, which is considerably less, and the Saints just wouldn’t budge.

Camera IconValentine Holmes scored 11 tries in two games for the Kangaroos during the World Cup. Photo: Matt KingPicture: Getty Images

“They would not give him the money he wanted.

“In the end I think he only went for an extra $50,000 a year which over three years is still only 150 grand.

“That’s a lot of money to the average person but to a football player it isn’t that much.”

The change of heart from Flanagan after 80 minutes of the season represents a dramatic shift but one that has the potential to maximise the attacking potency of the Sharks.

The argument against Holmes at fullback is partly the fact that he is such an outstanding winger, the freakish flyer crossing 11 times in the space of two World Cup games for the Kangaroos late last year.

Dugan’s impact on a game can suffer without the opportunity of broken play running from back field and Ritchie is adamant he is the one who will wear the No.1 jersey on a regular basis.

“(Flanagan) is a big Valentine Holmes fan but when it comes to fullbacks personally I think Josh Dugan is the superior No.1 at the club,” Ritchie said.

Live scores and stats, the latest news and the best video highlights — get the ultimate NRL experience on your phone with the new FOX LEAGUE App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android!

“If you compare some stats from last year, fullback versus centre for Dugan, Dugan excels more in possessions, runs, metres, tackle busts and line breaks.

“He’s a natural fullback Josh Dugan.

“He’s a big body and I think he’s the man that will eventually take over.

“This won’t go on for the whole year, this swapping, it will be one game — if that — and then he’ll make his decision.

“It will depend what side of the field they are on and what side they are attacking.

“If they’re setting up to attack on the left-hand side I think you’ll find Holmes will slip back to fullback and if they’re setting up to attack on the right-hand side I think you’ll find Dugan will be at fullback.”

Ben Ikin and Nathan Ryan are joined by Storm recruitment manager Paul Bunn to discuss the club’s secrets for luring new players to the club, including a behind-the-scenes role for Billy Slater.